Grant County Meeting Brings Partners Together to Discuss Next Steps for Cardinal Greenway Expansion
Leaders and partners from East Central Indiana gathered last month in Grant County to discuss the next phases of a Cardinal Greenway extension project. Representatives from Cardinal Greenways, Taylor University, Ball Brothers Foundation, East Central Indiana Regional Partnership, and FlatLand Resources participated in the meeting, which included a tour of Taylor University and key sites in Gas City.
The tour offered an opportunity to assess current progress and explore future steps toward “closing the gap” in the Cardinal Greenway’s 62-mile paved rail-trail. The rail-trail is currently the longest in the state of Indiana and spans five Indiana counties. The Grant County “gap”—stretching approximately 18 miles between Gas City and Matthews—currently requires trail users to navigate country roads rather than following a dedicated path set apart from traffic.
Taylor University is playing an integral role in kickstarting efforts to close the gap, with preliminary plans to develop nearly two miles of Cardinal Greenway trail on the University’s property west of campus. This effort is part of several trail projects included in Taylor’s Main Street Mile Initiative, which is supported by funding from the Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration grant. Current designs call for this trail to route through the University’s popular cross-country course, offering scenic views and a connection to a new trailhead that has already been constructed on 800E, known locally as “Devil’s Backbone” for its series of steep hills. The trailhead will also connect users to an existing canoe/kayak launch point on the Mississinewa River.
Following this phase of trail build out, substantial money must be raised to begin future phases of trail construction to close the gap between Matthews and Gas City. The trail is eventually envisioned to extend westward from Taylor University’s property, connecting to the existing paved Cardinal Greenway that currently ends at Gas City Park.
As part of the long-range planning discussions, the group toured key sites in Gas City, including the area around the I-69 bridge. As planning advances, extending the Cardinal Greenway under this major interstate will require close coordination with INDOT and other state and federal agencies to ensure safe passage for trail users. While the project will take many years to come to full fruition, eventual expansion will create vital connections between East Central Indiana’s small towns, universities, and larger cities. It will also serve as an attractive draw for residents, college students, and visitors who will have the ability to run, walk, and cycle on over 80 miles of continuous trail.
Cardinal Greenways’ long-term efforts to “close the gap” are important to completing Indiana’s portion of the national “Great American Rail Trail”—a vision for a coast-to-coast recreational trail. Cardinal Greenways continues collaborating with state, local, and philanthropic partners to close trail gaps across East Central Indiana, advancing a shared vision for a continuous, accessible greenway spanning both the region and the nation.
“People are drawn to vibrant and thriving places,” shared Angie Pool, CEO of Cardinal Greenways. “With developments like this, East Central Indiana is further building out the amenities that are making our region a destination for outdoor recreation. At the same time, these trail projects will strengthen bonds between rural communities and connect the region’s cities and small towns.”
The Grant County visit last month reinforced the commitment of many partners to see the trail expansion become a reality. Cardinal Greenways will continue to work to draw additional support from state and philanthropic funders to ensure the long-term success of this regional initiative.
To watch highlights of the Grant County visit, check out this video.